As we approach one month since Senate Democrats shut down the federal government, Senate Republicans continue to fight to end the stalemate and reopen the government for the American people. Meanwhile, Democrats have voted more than a dozen times to keep it closed. For four weeks, I’ve written about this ongoing shutdown. While I would much rather share updates on the progress we’re making for Nebraskans on Capitol Hill, I cannot ignore this unprecedented impasse created by the Democratic Party.

Senate Republicans have offered a bipartisan, clean continuing resolution — free of new or partisan policies — simply to keep the lights on while Congress finishes its work. Yet Democrats continue to block it. Since they refuse to support this common-sense short term patch, we’ve pressed forward with the regular appropriations process to responsibly fund the government.

Before the shutdown began, the Senate had already passed three of the 12 appropriations bills through regular order — meaning they were fully debated, amended, and approved in committee before passing on the Senate floor. Each reflected bipartisan cooperation and real benefits for Americans across the country.

These bills — the&nbsp;Military Construction–Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts&nbsp;— deliver tens of millions of dollars to Nebraska communities. This funding supports rural infrastructure, local development, and essential veterans’ services. I fought tirelessly for these projects as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Until Democrats end this shutdown, those critical projects remain stalled — and Nebraskans are paying the price.

Last week, when Majority Leader John Thune brought the&nbsp;Defense Appropriations Act&nbsp;to the floor, Democrats blocked it as well. That decision is indefensible. At a time of growing global threats, they are choosing political theater over national security. Just one week earlier, the Senate passed the annual&nbsp;National Defense Authorization Act&nbsp;with bipartisan support — yet Democrats suddenly refused to fund the very programs they voted for.

This year’s&nbsp;Defense Appropriations Act&nbsp;would pay our troops and fund vital military operations. It includes more than $200 million for defense programs that strengthen America’s security and directly support Nebraska’s military community — including U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), the 55th Wing, and the 557th Weather Wing, all based at Offutt Air Force Base.

The first duty of Congress is to defend our nation. I’m deeply disappointed that Democrats have blocked the legislation that allows us to fulfill that responsibility. By refusing to fund the government and our military, they are failing the American people. It’s time for Democrats to put politics aside, work with Republicans to reopen the government, strengthen our national defense, and deliver results for the country.

I remain hopeful that common sense will prevail — and that Senate Democrats will finally vote to end this shutdown and fulfill their constitutional duty to the American people.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746551115882.png" alt="Nebraska US Senator Deb Fischer" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska US Senator Deb Fischer</figcaption>
 </figure>By U.S. Senator Deb FischerAs we approach one month since Senate Democrats shut down the federal government, Senate Republicans continue to fight to end the stalemate and reopen the government for the American people. Meanwhile, Democrats have voted more than a dozen times to keep it closed. For four weeks, I’ve written about this ongoing shutdown. While I would much rather share updates on the progress we’re making for Nebraskans on Capitol Hill, I cannot ignore this unprecedented impasse created by the Democratic Party.Senate Republicans have offered a bipartisan, clean continuing resolution — free of new or partisan policies — simply to keep the lights on while Congress finishes its work. Yet Democrats continue to block it. Since they refuse to support this common-sense short term patch, we’ve pressed forward with the regular appropriations process to responsibly fund the government.Before the shutdown began, the Senate had already passed three of the 12 appropriations bills through regular order — meaning they were fully debated, amended, and approved in committee before passing on the Senate floor. Each reflected bipartisan cooperation and real benefits for Americans across the country.These bills — the&nbsp;Military Construction–Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts&nbsp;— deliver tens of millions of dollars to Nebraska communities. This funding supports rural infrastructure, local development, and essential veterans’ services. I fought tirelessly for these projects as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Until Democrats end this shutdown, those critical projects remain stalled — and Nebraskans are paying the price.Last week, when Majority Leader John Thune brought the&nbsp;Defense Appropriations Act&nbsp;to the floor, Democrats blocked it as well. That decision is indefensible. At a time of growing global threats, they are choosing political theater over national security. Just one week earlier, the Senate passed the annual&nbsp;National Defense Authorization Act&nbsp;with bipartisan support — yet Democrats suddenly refused to fund the very programs they voted for.This year’s&nbsp;Defense Appropriations Act&nbsp;would pay our troops and fund vital military operations. It includes more than $200 million for defense programs that strengthen America’s security and directly support Nebraska’s military community — including U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), the 55th Wing, and the 557th Weather Wing, all based at Offutt Air Force Base.The first duty of Congress is to defend our nation. I’m deeply disappointed that Democrats have blocked the legislation that allows us to fulfill that responsibility. By refusing to fund the government and our military, they are failing the American people. It’s time for Democrats to put politics aside, work with Republicans to reopen the government, strengthen our national defense, and deliver results for the country.I remain hopeful that common sense will prevail — and that Senate Democrats will finally vote to end this shutdown and fulfill their constitutional duty to the American people.Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

From the Desk of Deb Fischer: Nebraska Deserves Better Than Washington Gridlock

Update comes as district judge considers Friday whether to pause contract, which state attorneys say could harm Nebraska

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/zachwendling/">Zach Wendling</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen announced Thursday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement inspectors have certified a Nebraska state prison to begin receiving federal detainees as it becomes a migrant detention facility.

Pillen said ICE inspectors completed a final walkthrough of the former McCook&nbsp;<a href="https://corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/work-ethic-camp" target="_blank">Work Ethic Camp</a>&nbsp;this week, and the timeline for the first detainees to come to Nebraska is still being coordinated. Pillen said getting the final pieces together had been “a moving target” with the federal shutdown now on day 23.

“Given the many tasks that had to be completed, including the transfer of remaining inmates, building modifications, training of staff and other components, we have made significant progress,” Pillen said in a statement.

Final security upgrades will continue in McCook “over the next day or so,” Pillen said, and additional modifications will allow the facility to house up to 300 detainees, from a maximum of about 200.

Pillen’s update comes less than 24 hours before a Red Willow County District Court judge will hear arguments on a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/schimek-v-pillen_CI25137.pdf">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;seeking to temporarily stop the Nebraska-ICE partnership. The lawsuit is from 13 McCook residents and former State Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln. It argues the&nbsp;<a href="https://corrections.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/Contract-NDCS-Department-of-Homeland-Security-ICE.pdf" target="_blank">Nebraska-ICE contract</a>&nbsp;is unconstitutional without legislative approval because of language they say&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=IV-19" target="_blank">delegates management</a>&nbsp;of the state’s prisons to the Legislature.

The lawsuit also argues that lawmakers had specified and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=72-801" target="_blank">funded</a>&nbsp;the purpose of the McCook facility in law. The detention center remains state-owned and operated.

Pillen and Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, are named in the lawsuit.

The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of Pillen and Jeffreys in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/schimek-v-pillen_MTD-state-brief.pdf">court filings</a>&nbsp;this week, asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed and all but said the train has left the station.&nbsp;

“Should the court void the state’s contract with the federal government, that would release the federal government from its obligations to compensate the state for this work. Taxpayers would therefore suffer a greater injury from preliminary relief than without it,” the brief states. “Not to mention the damage that preliminary relief would do to the state’s relationship with the federal government.”

Under the contract, ICE plans to pay Nebraska around $2.5 million monthly. Pillen’s office estimates the deal could net Nebraska $14.25 million annually. The contract was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/23/pillens-office-defends-17-day-delay-in-releasing-nebraska-ice-detention-contract/">not publicly available until Oct. 17</a>. It was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/17/nebraska-signed-contract-with-ice-on-sept-30-to-turn-state-prison-into-migrant-detention-center/">signed Sept. 30</a>. Pillen&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/21/what-we-know-about-nebraska-ice-plan-to-retool-mccook-work-ethic-camp-lawmaker-reactions/">announced the initial plan Aug. 19</a>. The lawsuit was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/13-mccook-residents-former-lawmaker-sue-to-stop-nebraska-ice-detention-center/">filed Oct. 15</a>.

The AG’s Office said the Legislature “broadly” delegated the day-to-day operations of state facilities to the executive branch and said the contract doesn’t change McCook’s “overarching purpose” as a detention center, so “any change is one of degree, not kind.”

State attorneys said the McCook residents and Schimek are not best-suited to challenge the facility, suggesting a more proper lawsuit could come instead from the Legislature,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/ags-office-all-inmates-moved-from-nebraskas-mccook-prison-planned-ice-detention-center/">state inmates transferred from the Work Ethic Camp</a>&nbsp;to other state facilities or federal detainees. The AG’s Office said a better “check” on separation of powers concerns is the Legislature and the political process, not by going through the courts or by “random taxpayers.”

“Taxpayers who object to the defendants’ actions have the same remedy as any other Nebraskan: the ballot box,” the AG’s Office wrote.

Nick Grandgenett, an attorney for the McCook residents and Schimek, framed the case last week as “not about immigration” but “our constitutional republican form of government.”

The AG’s Office criticized the lawsuit for not including all “indispensable parties” —&nbsp;the U.S. government, as well as a fencing company contracted to build a razor wire around the facility.

“Plaintiffs cannot use purportedly illegal expenditures related to the McCook facility — costs that the federal government will reimburse — as a bootstrap to obtain the standing necessary to present their real challenge, which is aimed at the entire cooperative agreements and federal immigration enforcement activity,” the state’s attorneys wrote.

Jeffreys, in a Thursday statement, said his department’s “attention to detail” at the Work Ethic Camp and a strong partnership and cooperation with ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security made certification possible.

“Passing these inspections is a testament to our team’s commitment to safety, security and professionalism,” Jeffreys said. He signed the initial two-year Nebraska-ICE contract Sept. 30 for the state.

Pillen said that once operational, the rebranded “Cornhusker Clink” will regionally support ICE officials “who are working tirelessly to identify illegal criminals and get them off our streets.”

“Every state is a border state,” Pillen said. “Nebraska is going to do its part to make sure that our nation and Nebraskans are safe and secure.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761252952549.png" alt="The state’s Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Neb., is set to become a detention center for migrants facing deportation proceedings. State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, a vocal opponent, drove more than four hours from her home district to learn more about the facility than has been shared with Democratic lawmakers. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The state’s Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Neb., is set to become a detention center for migrants facing deportation proceedings. State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, a vocal opponent, drove more than four hours from her home district to learn more about the facility than has been shared with Democratic lawmakers. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Update comes as district judge considers Friday whether to pause contract, which state attorneys say could harm Nebraska</h2>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/zachwendling/">Zach Wendling</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/17/lincoln-senators-clash-over-nebraska-school-retirement-bill-as-school-leaders-weigh-in/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen announced Thursday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement inspectors have certified a Nebraska state prison to begin receiving federal detainees as it becomes a migrant detention facility.Pillen said ICE inspectors completed a final walkthrough of the former McCook&nbsp;<a href="https://corrections.nebraska.gov/facilities/work-ethic-camp" target="_blank">Work Ethic Camp</a>&nbsp;this week, and the timeline for the first detainees to come to Nebraska is still being coordinated. Pillen said getting the final pieces together had been “a moving target” with the federal shutdown now on day 23.“Given the many tasks that had to be completed, including the transfer of remaining inmates, building modifications, training of staff and other components, we have made significant progress,” Pillen said in a statement.Final security upgrades will continue in McCook “over the next day or so,” Pillen said, and additional modifications will allow the facility to house up to 300 detainees, from a maximum of about 200.Pillen’s update comes less than 24 hours before a Red Willow County District Court judge will hear arguments on a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/schimek-v-pillen_CI25137.pdf">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;seeking to temporarily stop the Nebraska-ICE partnership. The lawsuit is from 13 McCook residents and former State Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln. It argues the&nbsp;<a href="https://corrections.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/Contract-NDCS-Department-of-Homeland-Security-ICE.pdf" target="_blank">Nebraska-ICE contract</a>&nbsp;is unconstitutional without legislative approval because of language they say&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=IV-19" target="_blank">delegates management</a>&nbsp;of the state’s prisons to the Legislature.The lawsuit also argues that lawmakers had specified and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=72-801" target="_blank">funded</a>&nbsp;the purpose of the McCook facility in law. The detention center remains state-owned and operated.Pillen and Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, are named in the lawsuit.<h2>Attorney General’s Office arguments</h2>The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of Pillen and Jeffreys in&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/schimek-v-pillen_MTD-state-brief.pdf">court filings</a>&nbsp;this week, asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed and all but said the train has left the station.&nbsp;“Should the court void the state’s contract with the federal government, that would release the federal government from its obligations to compensate the state for this work. Taxpayers would therefore suffer a greater injury from preliminary relief than without it,” the brief states. “Not to mention the damage that preliminary relief would do to the state’s relationship with the federal government.”Under the contract, ICE plans to pay Nebraska around $2.5 million monthly. Pillen’s office estimates the deal could net Nebraska $14.25 million annually. The contract was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/23/pillens-office-defends-17-day-delay-in-releasing-nebraska-ice-detention-contract/">not publicly available until Oct. 17</a>. It was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/17/nebraska-signed-contract-with-ice-on-sept-30-to-turn-state-prison-into-migrant-detention-center/">signed Sept. 30</a>. Pillen&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/21/what-we-know-about-nebraska-ice-plan-to-retool-mccook-work-ethic-camp-lawmaker-reactions/">announced the initial plan Aug. 19</a>. The lawsuit was&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/13-mccook-residents-former-lawmaker-sue-to-stop-nebraska-ice-detention-center/">filed Oct. 15</a>.The AG’s Office said the Legislature “broadly” delegated the day-to-day operations of state facilities to the executive branch and said the contract doesn’t change McCook’s “overarching purpose” as a detention center, so “any change is one of degree, not kind.”State attorneys said the McCook residents and Schimek are not best-suited to challenge the facility, suggesting a more proper lawsuit could come instead from the Legislature,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/ags-office-all-inmates-moved-from-nebraskas-mccook-prison-planned-ice-detention-center/">state inmates transferred from the Work Ethic Camp</a>&nbsp;to other state facilities or federal detainees. The AG’s Office said a better “check” on separation of powers concerns is the Legislature and the political process, not by going through the courts or by “random taxpayers.”“Taxpayers who object to the defendants’ actions have the same remedy as any other Nebraskan: the ballot box,” the AG’s Office wrote.<h2>‘Every state is a border state’</h2>Nick Grandgenett, an attorney for the McCook residents and Schimek, framed the case last week as “not about immigration” but “our constitutional republican form of government.”The AG’s Office criticized the lawsuit for not including all “indispensable parties” —&nbsp;the U.S. government, as well as a fencing company contracted to build a razor wire around the facility.“Plaintiffs cannot use purportedly illegal expenditures related to the McCook facility — costs that the federal government will reimburse — as a bootstrap to obtain the standing necessary to present their real challenge, which is aimed at the entire cooperative agreements and federal immigration enforcement activity,” the state’s attorneys wrote.Jeffreys, in a Thursday statement, said his department’s “attention to detail” at the Work Ethic Camp and a strong partnership and cooperation with ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security made certification possible.“Passing these inspections is a testament to our team’s commitment to safety, security and professionalism,” Jeffreys said. He signed the initial two-year Nebraska-ICE contract Sept. 30 for the state.Pillen said that once operational, the rebranded “Cornhusker Clink” will regionally support ICE officials “who are working tirelessly to identify illegal criminals and get them off our streets.”“Every state is a border state,” Pillen said. “Nebraska is going to do its part to make sure that our nation and Nebraskans are safe and secure.”

ICE certifies Nebraska state prison to begin housing immigration detainees

On Thursday, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging six defendants — Eric Earnest, also known as “Spook,” Marves Fairley, also known as “Vez,” “Vezino,” and “Vezino Locks”, Shane Hennen, also known as “Sugar,” Damon Jones, also known as “D Jones,” and “Dee Jones,” Deniro Laster, also known as “Niro,” “Payso,” and “Peso,” and Terry Rozier, also known as “Scary Terry” and “Chum” — with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for their alleged roles in a scheme to use inside information from National Basketball Association (NBA) players and coaches to profit from illegal betting activity, according to the United State's Attorney.

The defendants, who are located across the country, will be arraigned at a future date in the Eastern District of New York.

Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Kash Patel, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI, New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.

“As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.&nbsp;“This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit.&nbsp; Insider betting schemes erode the integrity of American sports, and this Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to corrupt sports through illegal means.”

Mr. Nocella thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office for their invaluable assistance in the investigation.

“Today the FBI arrested six people, including current and former NBA players, for their alleged role in illegal sports betting and money laundering conspiracy – the result of a sweeping investigation conducted by outstanding FBI professionals and partners. Using private information and positions of power to rig sports gambling outcomes is not only illegal, but destroys the integrity of the game and will never be tolerated. We will continue following the money to ensure gambling operations of all kinds stay within the law and bring to justice those who take advantage of innocent victims,” stated FBI Director Patel.

“Former and current NBA players and coaches, including Terry Rozier, Damon Jones and additional co-conspirators, allegedly informed the defendants and others of confidential information relating to upcoming NBA games and player performances, such as pre-release medical information and a player’s intention to alter their upcoming game performance, which favored certain bettors within their inner social circle,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.&nbsp; “This alleged collusion resulted in the defendants secretly pocketing their lavish winnings and corrupting NBA games. The FBI will never turn a blind eye to any insider betting scheme within sporting industries – regardless of title or professional affiliation – to protect its integrity and afford all participants a fair chance to win big.

“Rigging a professional basketball game for personal profit is as immoral as it is illegal,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.&nbsp; “This investigation exposed a gambling ring built around the NBA, where players and associates allegedly used inside information and even faked injuries to fraudulently manipulate bets on games.&nbsp; The fact that some players altered their performance or took themselves out of games to ensure these bets paid out is an offense to every player and fan. Thanks to the incredible work of the NYPD detectives and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this illegal sports betting operation has been benched for good.”

As set forth in the indictment, between December 2022 and March 2024, the defendants and their associates obtained and misused non-public information about upcoming NBA games to place fraudulent sports wagers for profit and then laundered the proceeds.

The conspirators allegedly obtained insider information from several NBA players and coaches, including Rozier and Jones, and distributed that information through a network of bettors.&nbsp; These bettors placed wagers through online sportsbooks and retail betting outlets, falsely representing that their wagers complied with the betting companies’ rules—which included, as relevant here, not betting on non-public information or using straw bettors—while concealing that their wagers were based on confidential team information.&nbsp; Some of the co-conspirators’ activities alleged in the indictment are described below:&nbsp;March 23, 2023 – Charlotte Hornets Game

As alleged, Rozier, then an active player for the Hornets, tipped off longtime friend Laster that Rozier planned to leave the game early due to a purported injury.&nbsp;Rozier provided this information to Laster for the purpose of enabling Laster to place wagers based on this information.&nbsp; Laster, Fairley, and Hennen, among others, used that confidential information to place and direct more than $200,000 in wagers predicting Rozier’s “under” statistics (i.e., that Rozier would underperform).&nbsp; Rozier exited the game after nine minutes, and many of the bets paid off, generating tens of thousands of dollars in profits.&nbsp; Laster collected the cash and drove through the night to Rozier’s house, where together they counted the profits together.

March 24, 2023 – Portland Trail Blazers Game

As alleged, Earnest received, and then passed on, insider information from a longtime friend, an NBA coach at the time, that several of the Blazers’ top players would sit out a game against the Chicago Bulls.&nbsp; Before that information became public, Fairley and his associates wagered over $100,000 against the Blazers. When the lineup change was later confirmed, betting lines shifted dramatically and the group’s early bets yielded major winnings.

As alleged, Fairley profited from a tip obtained through an inside connection to a then Orlando Magic player.&nbsp; A co-conspirator leveraged a relationship with the Magic player to learn that several of the team’s top players would sit out a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers—information that had not yet been made public.&nbsp; The co-conspirator relayed the tip to Fairley, who placed an approximately $11,000 bet that the Cavaliers would outperform the point spread.&nbsp; When the lineup change was later confirmed and the Cavaliers went on to beat the Magic by 24 points, Fairley and the co-conspirator pocketed the winnings.

February 9, 2023 and January 15, 2024 – Los Angeles Lakers Games

As alleged, former NBA player and coach Jones shared and sold insider information on numerous occasions about undisclosed information relating to NBA games, such as lineup decisions and pre-release medical information, to his co-conspirators, who then placed significant wagers based on the tips.&nbsp; For example, on February 9, 2023 and January 15, 2024, respectively, Jones provided insider information to co-conspirators about pre-release medical information concerning star players on the Los Angeles Lakers for the purpose of enabling the co-conspirators to place wagers based on this information.

January 26, 2024 and March 20, 2024 – Toronto Raptors Games

As alleged, Jontay Porter, who was then an NBA player with the Toronto Raptors, informed co-conspirator Long Phi Pham and others that he would prematurely exit the games he was scheduled to play on January 26, 2024 and March 20, 2024,&nbsp;due to purported injuries.&nbsp; Porter agreed to exit the games early so that Pham and others could place bets on this non-public information.&nbsp; Pham, in turn, provided this information to Hennen, who also provided the information to Fairley.&nbsp; Subsequently, Hennen placed bets on Porter’s unders, or underperformance, in connection with the games through a network of straw bettors.&nbsp; When Porter exited both games early, numerous of the fraudulent wagers were successful.

Porter and Pham, among others, have previously pleaded guilty in connection with their participation in the scheme related to these two games.

ERIC EARNEST (also known as “Spook”)Age: 35Missouri

MARVES FAIRLEY (also known as “Vez,” “Vezino,” and “Vezino Locks”)Age: 33Mississippi

SHANE HENNEN (also known as “Sugar”)Age: 31NevadaDAMON JONES (also known as “D Jones” and “Dee Jones”)Age: 49California

DENIRO LASTER (also known as “Niro,” “Payso,” and “Peso”)Age: 30Ohio

TERRY ROZIER (also known as “Scary Terry” and “Chum”)Age: 31Florida

On Thursday, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging six defendants — Eric Earnest, also known as “Spook,” Marves Fairley, also known as “Vez,” “Vezino,” and “Vezino Locks”, Shane Hennen, also known as “Sugar,” Damon Jones, also known as “D Jones,” and “Dee Jones,” Deniro Laster, also known as “Niro,” “Payso,” and “Peso,” and Terry Rozier, also known as “Scary Terry” and “Chum” — with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy for their alleged roles in a scheme to use inside information from National Basketball Association (NBA) players and coaches to profit from illegal betting activity, according to the United State's Attorney.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">FBI Director Patel: &quot;Individuals such as Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones and Terry Rozier were taking into custody today, former,current NBA players and coaches...this is an illegal gambling operation and sports rigging operation that spanned the course of years.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/L5vLj1XtvM">pic.twitter.com/L5vLj1XtvM</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1981367790025027918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The defendants, who are located across the country, will be arraigned at a future date in the Eastern District of New York.Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Kash Patel, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI, New York Field Office; and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the charges.“As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.&nbsp;“This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit.&nbsp; Insider betting schemes erode the integrity of American sports, and this Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to corrupt sports through illegal means.”Mr. Nocella thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office for their invaluable assistance in the investigation.“Today the FBI arrested six people, including current and former NBA players, for their alleged role in illegal sports betting and money laundering conspiracy – the result of a sweeping investigation conducted by outstanding FBI professionals and partners. Using private information and positions of power to rig sports gambling outcomes is not only illegal, but destroys the integrity of the game and will never be tolerated. We will continue following the money to ensure gambling operations of all kinds stay within the law and bring to justice those who take advantage of innocent victims,” stated FBI Director Patel.“Former and current NBA players and coaches, including Terry Rozier, Damon Jones and additional co-conspirators, allegedly informed the defendants and others of confidential information relating to upcoming NBA games and player performances, such as pre-release medical information and a player’s intention to alter their upcoming game performance, which favored certain bettors within their inner social circle,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.&nbsp; “This alleged collusion resulted in the defendants secretly pocketing their lavish winnings and corrupting NBA games. The FBI will never turn a blind eye to any insider betting scheme within sporting industries – regardless of title or professional affiliation – to protect its integrity and afford all participants a fair chance to win big.“Rigging a professional basketball game for personal profit is as immoral as it is illegal,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.&nbsp; “This investigation exposed a gambling ring built around the NBA, where players and associates allegedly used inside information and even faked injuries to fraudulently manipulate bets on games.&nbsp; The fact that some players altered their performance or took themselves out of games to ensure these bets paid out is an offense to every player and fan. Thanks to the incredible work of the NYPD detectives and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, this illegal sports betting operation has been benched for good.”As set forth in the indictment, between December 2022 and March 2024, the defendants and their associates obtained and misused non-public information about upcoming NBA games to place fraudulent sports wagers for profit and then laundered the proceeds.The conspirators allegedly obtained insider information from several NBA players and coaches, including Rozier and Jones, and distributed that information through a network of bettors.&nbsp; These bettors placed wagers through online sportsbooks and retail betting outlets, falsely representing that their wagers complied with the betting companies’ rules—which included, as relevant here, not betting on non-public information or using straw bettors—while concealing that their wagers were based on confidential team information.&nbsp; Some of the co-conspirators’ activities alleged in the indictment are described below:&nbsp;March 23, 2023 – Charlotte Hornets GameAs alleged, Rozier, then an active player for the Hornets, tipped off longtime friend Laster that Rozier planned to leave the game early due to a purported injury.&nbsp;Rozier provided this information to Laster for the purpose of enabling Laster to place wagers based on this information.&nbsp; Laster, Fairley, and Hennen, among others, used that confidential information to place and direct more than $200,000 in wagers predicting Rozier’s “under” statistics (i.e., that Rozier would underperform).&nbsp; Rozier exited the game after nine minutes, and many of the bets paid off, generating tens of thousands of dollars in profits.&nbsp; Laster collected the cash and drove through the night to Rozier’s house, where together they counted the profits together.March 24, 2023 – Portland Trail Blazers GameAs alleged, Earnest received, and then passed on, insider information from a longtime friend, an NBA coach at the time, that several of the Blazers’ top players would sit out a game against the Chicago Bulls.&nbsp; Before that information became public, Fairley and his associates wagered over $100,000 against the Blazers. When the lineup change was later confirmed, betting lines shifted dramatically and the group’s early bets yielded major winnings.April 6, 2023 – Orlando Magic GameAs alleged, Fairley profited from a tip obtained through an inside connection to a then Orlando Magic player.&nbsp; A co-conspirator leveraged a relationship with the Magic player to learn that several of the team’s top players would sit out a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers—information that had not yet been made public.&nbsp; The co-conspirator relayed the tip to Fairley, who placed an approximately $11,000 bet that the Cavaliers would outperform the point spread.&nbsp; When the lineup change was later confirmed and the Cavaliers went on to beat the Magic by 24 points, Fairley and the co-conspirator pocketed the winnings.February 9, 2023 and January 15, 2024 – Los Angeles Lakers GamesAs alleged, former NBA player and coach Jones shared and sold insider information on numerous occasions about undisclosed information relating to NBA games, such as lineup decisions and pre-release medical information, to his co-conspirators, who then placed significant wagers based on the tips.&nbsp; For example, on February 9, 2023 and January 15, 2024, respectively, Jones provided insider information to co-conspirators about pre-release medical information concerning star players on the Los Angeles Lakers for the purpose of enabling the co-conspirators to place wagers based on this information.January 26, 2024 and March 20, 2024 – Toronto Raptors GamesAs alleged, Jontay Porter, who was then an NBA player with the Toronto Raptors, informed co-conspirator Long Phi Pham and others that he would prematurely exit the games he was scheduled to play on January 26, 2024 and March 20, 2024,&nbsp;due to purported injuries.&nbsp; Porter agreed to exit the games early so that Pham and others could place bets on this non-public information.&nbsp; Pham, in turn, provided this information to Hennen, who also provided the information to Fairley.&nbsp; Subsequently, Hennen placed bets on Porter’s unders, or underperformance, in connection with the games through a network of straw bettors.&nbsp; When Porter exited both games early, numerous of the fraudulent wagers were successful.Porter and Pham, among others, have previously pleaded guilty in connection with their participation in the scheme related to these two games.* * * * *The Defendants:ERIC EARNEST (also known as “Spook”)Age: 35MissouriMARVES FAIRLEY (also known as “Vez,” “Vezino,” and “Vezino Locks”)Age: 33MississippiSHANE HENNEN (also known as “Sugar”)Age: 31NevadaDAMON JONES (also known as “D Jones” and “Dee Jones”)Age: 49CaliforniaDENIRO LASTER (also known as “Niro,” “Payso,” and “Peso”)Age: 30OhioTERRY ROZIER (also known as “Scary Terry” and “Chum”)Age: 31FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-323 (LDH)

🎥Current and former players arrested in NBA, Mafia-linked gambling scandal

Homeland Security officials will visit repurposed McCook Work Ethic Camp this week, first detainees could be sent soon

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/23/pillens-office-defends-17-day-delay-in-releasing-nebraska-ice-detention-contract/">By: Zach Wendling - Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;The Nebraska Governor’s Office said a 17-day delay in publicizing a state-federal contract to convert a Nebraska prison into an immigration detention center was needed to conduct a legal review first of what information, if any, should be withheld.

Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://corrections.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/Contract-NDCS-Department-of-Homeland-Security-ICE.pdf" target="_blank">183-page contract with attachments</a>&nbsp;with an unnamed official in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding use of the Work Ethic Camp in McCook on Sept. 30. However, the contract was not made&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/17/nebraska-signed-contract-with-ice-on-sept-30-to-turn-state-prison-into-migrant-detention-center/">publicly available</a>&nbsp;until Oct. 17, when Gov. Jim Pillen’s office publicized the partnership.

In a Wednesday email responding to questions from Oct. 17, Pillen spokesperson Laura Strimple detailed the reasons for the legal review: What contract portions should legally be redacted under state and federal public information laws, “including laws protecting the integrity of the negotiation process and ensuring operational safety.”

Asked if the state had any other similar contracts with the federal government that have not yet been released, Strimple said, “There are no other related records which remain under legal review.”

Under the initial two-year contract, ICE plans to pay Nebraska at least $2.5 million each month to house federal detainees, adult men and women, at the repurposed Work Ethic Camp. The monthly reimbursement rate would increase by 3% in the second year.

Pillen’s office has said the contract would annually net Nebraska about $14.25 million. ICE will also pay Nebraska a one-time lump sum of $5.9 million for “facility renovations.”

All inmates previously housed at the Work Ethic Camp were moved to other Corrections facilities by&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/ags-office-all-inmates-moved-from-nebraskas-mccook-prison-planned-ice-detention-center/">early this month</a>. The state has not yet answered where they were moved or whether some were paroled or finished sentences.

Strimple said among&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-712.05" target="_blank">state exemptions</a>&nbsp;used to withhold records were ones shielding information about the protection of public property security and persons on or within such property and personal information of personnel. Also used was a state exemption to shield certain information if its release could&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-712.05" target="_blank">jeopardize promised federal funds</a>, services or other “essential information.”

Exemptions under the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foia.gov/" target="_blank">Freedom of Information Act</a>&nbsp;were also used, though Strimple did not specify which. Nine congressional exemptions shield information that could be “harmful to a governmental or private interest.”

“The Office of the Governor has released all public information while also considering well-established exceptions,” Strimple said.

Under state law, public records exemptions allow —&nbsp;but do not require — certain information to be withheld.

Among the information redacted in the released contract:

ACLU of Nebraska had&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC2MMDWfwt3eL6YM0vANgQLDfc4XyFqj3GPfrYse67chHSxP6xV9N-2FSUTF4cvfYLlymXQW3QVZvRag2R-2Bs84AkY-2Bf8S7UoL0d2FzlBNDrrCcaKJpF617pKta7gbG210ONTg-3D-3Dae6q_-2BBEv-2BaWnyO92hfC-2BOj3JA1479fTFCNhPdkFZIj3aV5vYjfhI6R4Tm6YAuVv-2FFCzbaL-2BzOcAiOIcFjt40AMeO7QTGM-2BtMCCIFOtBletLlUsqMVQW7s0NDHJCBB0HA3ptWzTtA8kH-2FrP-2Bu70IP47iALoXGbqulfvWc-2FcpzHgzbXMUF2MCkTm6goDckXhLxGRJzNeKU8gtqUpo8IqrMuiHj110MCQAufNObaGW9Sj5-2FHnIxbwh11kgFyvU2DUgVuRK412aetnEBYQtcTbR9BYU-2Fpg8-2F6sQvAzCJVGug4MYuGinBUPA2d4v6Aose4jZNFV216WLKUZDIMdIkrz2WbffZl47RRrrDZ0pT4431y1DZfOk-3D" target="_blank">negotiated</a>&nbsp;with Pillen’s office and attorney Jennifer Huxoll, chief of the Civil Litigation Bureau, and had agreed that the state would release a “substantive response” on the Nebraska-ICE contract provisions by noon Oct. 17. That day, Pillen’s office sent out a news release disclosing the contract at 12:13 p.m.&nbsp;

The governor&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/19/is-next-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-center-headed-to-sw-nebraska/">first announced</a>&nbsp;that Nebraska would work with ICE to house federal migrant detainees on Aug. 19.

Jennifer Houlden, acting legal director for ACLU Nebraska, said last week that Pillen’s contract negotiations put Nebraska in “uncharted territory” in converting a state prison “into an arm of a massive detention and deportation campaign.”

“It speaks volumes that Nebraskans are only just now getting hard facts about this agreement, weeks after it has been signed,” Houlden said in a statement. “It is troubling that what we have now seen raises new questions and concerns about oversight, liability and the state’s authority to even open this facility.”&nbsp;

The Governor’s Office had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/14/requests-denied-nebraska-turns-down-records-requests-on-mccook-ice-jail/">denied at least nine records requests</a>, including from the Nebraska Examiner, seeking more information on the Nebraska-ICE partnership by late September. Talks between Nebraska and federal officials had been happening since at least March, according to records separately obtained by Common Cause Nebraska, a government watchdog group.

The Examiner’s request included a standing request for the contract once it was signed and also sought information on communications between Pillen, his staff and Homeland Security officials about Nebraska housing federal immigration detainees. On the communications t the Governor’s Office said records exist but denied records on the grounds that such records were:

A&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/schimek-v-pillen_CI25137.pdf">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;from 13 McCook residents and a former state lawmaker, filed last week in Red Willow County District Court,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/13-mccook-residents-former-lawmaker-sue-to-stop-nebraska-ice-detention-center/">seeks to reverse the Nebraska-ICE partnership</a>. It argues the joint effort and contract violates&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=72-801" target="_blank">state laws</a>&nbsp;and separation of powers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=IV-19" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>&nbsp;without legislative approval.

In a court filing this week seeking to dismiss the case, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of Pillen and Jeffreys, defended the contract, writing: “Nebraska statutes do not hamstring the department from adapting its facilities to address ever-changing circumstances.”

Red Willow County District Judge Patrick Heng rejected a temporary restraining order to pause state-federal action Oct. 16, before it was clear a contract with ICE had been signed. Heng will consider a temporary injunction at a hearing this Friday. It would allow the lawsuit to continue and block Nebraska from accepting detainees.

“Homeland Security is doing walk-throughs this week,” Pillen said Monday on his monthly radio call-in show. “We would expect … folks would begin being incarcerated there in the next week.”

Nebraska Examiner Editor-in-Chief Aaron Sanderford and reporter Erin Bamer contributed to this report.

<h2>Homeland Security officials will visit repurposed McCook Work Ethic Camp this week, first detainees could be sent soon</h2><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/23/pillens-office-defends-17-day-delay-in-releasing-nebraska-ice-detention-contract/">By: Zach Wendling - Nebraska Examiner</a><figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/wec_thumbnail-1536x1024.jpg" alt="The McCook Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)" />
 <figcaption>The McCook Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN —&nbsp;The Nebraska Governor’s Office said a 17-day delay in publicizing a state-federal contract to convert a Nebraska prison into an immigration detention center was needed to conduct a legal review first of what information, if any, should be withheld.Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, signed the&nbsp;<a href="https://corrections.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/Contract-NDCS-Department-of-Homeland-Security-ICE.pdf" target="_blank">183-page contract with attachments</a>&nbsp;with an unnamed official in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding use of the Work Ethic Camp in McCook on Sept. 30. However, the contract was not made&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/17/nebraska-signed-contract-with-ice-on-sept-30-to-turn-state-prison-into-migrant-detention-center/">publicly available</a>&nbsp;until Oct. 17, when Gov. Jim Pillen’s office publicized the partnership.In a Wednesday email responding to questions from Oct. 17, Pillen spokesperson Laura Strimple detailed the reasons for the legal review: What contract portions should legally be redacted under state and federal public information laws, “including laws protecting the integrity of the negotiation process and ensuring operational safety.”Asked if the state had any other similar contracts with the federal government that have not yet been released, Strimple said, “There are no other related records which remain under legal review.”<h2>‘Well-established exceptions’</h2>Under the initial two-year contract, ICE plans to pay Nebraska at least $2.5 million each month to house federal detainees, adult men and women, at the repurposed Work Ethic Camp. The monthly reimbursement rate would increase by 3% in the second year.Pillen’s office has said the contract would annually net Nebraska about $14.25 million. ICE will also pay Nebraska a one-time lump sum of $5.9 million for “facility renovations.”All inmates previously housed at the Work Ethic Camp were moved to other Corrections facilities by&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/ags-office-all-inmates-moved-from-nebraskas-mccook-prison-planned-ice-detention-center/">early this month</a>. The state has not yet answered where they were moved or whether some were paroled or finished sentences.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_0456-300x200.jpg" alt="Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Bryan Waugh, at podium, joins Nebraska Adj. Gen. Craig Strong, left, and Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys as the state announces it will work with ICE at the state prison in McCook. Aug 19. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Bryan Waugh, at podium, joins Nebraska Adj. Gen. Craig Strong, left, and Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys as the state announces it will work with ICE at the state prison in McCook. Aug 19. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Strimple said among&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-712.05" target="_blank">state exemptions</a>&nbsp;used to withhold records were ones shielding information about the protection of public property security and persons on or within such property and personal information of personnel. Also used was a state exemption to shield certain information if its release could&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=84-712.05" target="_blank">jeopardize promised federal funds</a>, services or other “essential information.”Exemptions under the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foia.gov/" target="_blank">Freedom of Information Act</a>&nbsp;were also used, though Strimple did not specify which. Nine congressional exemptions shield information that could be “harmful to a governmental or private interest.”“The Office of the Governor has released all public information while also considering well-established exceptions,” Strimple said.Under state law, public records exemptions allow —&nbsp;but do not require — certain information to be withheld.Among the information redacted in the released contract:<ul>
 <li>Minimum staffing requirements.</li><li>Certain pay details for on-call guard services.</li><li>Government use of wireless communication devices.</li><li>Names and contact information of some federal officials.</li><li>Some examples of serious incidents that must be reported.</li><li>What to do in emergency situations when receiving or discharging detainees.</li><li>Allowable videotaping at the ICE facility (no videotaping without ICE permission).</li>
 </ul><h2>‘New questions and concerns’</h2>ACLU of Nebraska had&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC2MMDWfwt3eL6YM0vANgQLDfc4XyFqj3GPfrYse67chHSxP6xV9N-2FSUTF4cvfYLlymXQW3QVZvRag2R-2Bs84AkY-2Bf8S7UoL0d2FzlBNDrrCcaKJpF617pKta7gbG210ONTg-3D-3Dae6q_-2BBEv-2BaWnyO92hfC-2BOj3JA1479fTFCNhPdkFZIj3aV5vYjfhI6R4Tm6YAuVv-2FFCzbaL-2BzOcAiOIcFjt40AMeO7QTGM-2BtMCCIFOtBletLlUsqMVQW7s0NDHJCBB0HA3ptWzTtA8kH-2FrP-2Bu70IP47iALoXGbqulfvWc-2FcpzHgzbXMUF2MCkTm6goDckXhLxGRJzNeKU8gtqUpo8IqrMuiHj110MCQAufNObaGW9Sj5-2FHnIxbwh11kgFyvU2DUgVuRK412aetnEBYQtcTbR9BYU-2Fpg8-2F6sQvAzCJVGug4MYuGinBUPA2d4v6Aose4jZNFV216WLKUZDIMdIkrz2WbffZl47RRrrDZ0pT4431y1DZfOk-3D" target="_blank">negotiated</a>&nbsp;with Pillen’s office and attorney Jennifer Huxoll, chief of the Civil Litigation Bureau, and had agreed that the state would release a “substantive response” on the Nebraska-ICE contract provisions by noon Oct. 17. That day, Pillen’s office sent out a news release disclosing the contract at 12:13 p.m.&nbsp;The governor&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/08/19/is-next-alligator-alcatraz-immigration-detention-center-headed-to-sw-nebraska/">first announced</a>&nbsp;that Nebraska would work with ICE to house federal migrant detainees on Aug. 19.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/anti-ice-protest-gov-mansion_ZJW_082225-09-300x200.jpg" alt="State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, at center speaking at a protest over the proposed conversion of the Nebraska state prison McCook Worth Ethic Camp into an immigration detention center. Aug. 22, 2025. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, at center speaking at a protest over the proposed conversion of the Nebraska state prison McCook Worth Ethic Camp into an immigration detention center. Aug. 22, 2025. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jennifer Houlden, acting legal director for ACLU Nebraska, said last week that Pillen’s contract negotiations put Nebraska in “uncharted territory” in converting a state prison “into an arm of a massive detention and deportation campaign.”“It speaks volumes that Nebraskans are only just now getting hard facts about this agreement, weeks after it has been signed,” Houlden said in a statement. “It is troubling that what we have now seen raises new questions and concerns about oversight, liability and the state’s authority to even open this facility.”&nbsp;The Governor’s Office had&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/14/requests-denied-nebraska-turns-down-records-requests-on-mccook-ice-jail/">denied at least nine records requests</a>, including from the Nebraska Examiner, seeking more information on the Nebraska-ICE partnership by late September. Talks between Nebraska and federal officials had been happening since at least March, according to records separately obtained by Common Cause Nebraska, a government watchdog group.The Examiner’s request included a standing request for the contract once it was signed and also sought information on communications between Pillen, his staff and Homeland Security officials about Nebraska housing federal immigration detainees. On the communications t the Governor’s Office said records exist but denied records on the grounds that such records were:<ol>
 <li>“Proprietary or commercial information.”</li><li>“Negotiation records for the lease or sale of an interest in real property.”</li><li>“Confidential communications.”</li><li>Shielded under attorney-client privilege.</li>
 </ol><h2>Lawsuit continues</h2>A&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/schimek-v-pillen_CI25137.pdf">lawsuit</a>&nbsp;from 13 McCook residents and a former state lawmaker, filed last week in Red Willow County District Court,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/16/13-mccook-residents-former-lawmaker-sue-to-stop-nebraska-ice-detention-center/">seeks to reverse the Nebraska-ICE partnership</a>. It argues the joint effort and contract violates&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=72-801" target="_blank">state laws</a>&nbsp;and separation of powers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=IV-19" target="_blank">Nebraska Constitution</a>&nbsp;without legislative approval.In a court filing this week seeking to dismiss the case, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of Pillen and Jeffreys, defended the contract, writing: “Nebraska statutes do not hamstring the department from adapting its facilities to address ever-changing circumstances.”Red Willow County District Judge Patrick Heng rejected a temporary restraining order to pause state-federal action Oct. 16, before it was clear a contract with ICE had been signed. Heng will consider a temporary injunction at a hearing this Friday. It would allow the lawsuit to continue and block Nebraska from accepting detainees.“Homeland Security is doing walk-throughs this week,” Pillen said Monday on his monthly radio call-in show. “We would expect … folks would begin being incarcerated there in the next week.”Nebraska Examiner Editor-in-Chief Aaron Sanderford and reporter Erin Bamer contributed to this report.

Pillen’s office defends 17-day delay in releasing Nebraska-ICE detention contract

WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp; U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hawley-vows-hold-democrats-feet-fire-new-government-shutdown-funding-bills">introduced</a>&nbsp;two bills to reinstate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and critical farm programs during the government shutdown, according to a statement from his office.

“Since the Democrats refuse to fund the government, I’m introducing legislation to reinstate food stamps and farm programs immediately,”&nbsp;said Senator Hawley.“Missourians shouldn’t go hungry because of the Left’s incompetence. Our kids deserve to eat.”

More than 650,000 Missourians, 188,000 Kansans and 155,000 Nebraskans stand to lose their access to food benefits next month because Democrats refuse to fund the government. The vast majority of those Missourians are families with children.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Keep SNAP Funded Act&nbsp;would ensure full funding for the SNAP program during the government shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.

The&nbsp;Fund Farm Programs Act&nbsp;would reopen all Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offices and&nbsp;ensure resumed services for all FSA programs that farmers rely on. The USDA will be appropriated the necessary funding to provide resumed services for farmers through FSA offices, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.

Read the full bill text for the&nbsp;Keep SNAP Funded Act&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=15365.11191843.8917142.8424141&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2025%2f10%2fKeep-SNAP-Funded-Act.pdf&amp;redir_log=707316794103533" target="_blank">here.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Read the full bill text for the&nbsp;Fund Farm Programs Act&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=15365.11191843.8917142.8424141&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2025%2f10%2fFund-Our-Farmers-Act.pdf&amp;redir_log=996771207702541" target="_blank">here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1750772403338.png" alt="Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Lance Cheung/USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;—&nbsp; U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hawley-vows-hold-democrats-feet-fire-new-government-shutdown-funding-bills">introduced</a>&nbsp;two bills to reinstate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and critical farm programs during the government shutdown, according to a statement from his office.“Since the Democrats refuse to fund the government, I’m introducing legislation to reinstate food stamps and farm programs immediately,”&nbsp;said Senator Hawley.“Missourians shouldn’t go hungry because of the Left’s incompetence. Our kids deserve to eat.”More than 650,000 Missourians, 188,000 Kansans and 155,000 Nebraskans stand to lose their access to food benefits next month because Democrats refuse to fund the government. The vast majority of those Missourians are families with children.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Keep SNAP Funded Act&nbsp;would ensure full funding for the SNAP program during the government shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.The&nbsp;Fund Farm Programs Act&nbsp;would reopen all Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offices and&nbsp;ensure resumed services for all FSA programs that farmers rely on. The USDA will be appropriated the necessary funding to provide resumed services for farmers through FSA offices, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.Read the full bill text for the&nbsp;Keep SNAP Funded Act&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=15365.11191843.8917142.8424141&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2025%2f10%2fKeep-SNAP-Funded-Act.pdf&amp;redir_log=707316794103533" target="_blank">here.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Read the full bill text for the&nbsp;Fund Farm Programs Act&nbsp;<a href="https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&amp;cid=SenHawley&amp;crop=15365.11191843.8917142.8424141&amp;report_id=&amp;redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.hawley.senate.gov%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2025%2f10%2fFund-Our-Farmers-Act.pdf&amp;redir_log=996771207702541" target="_blank">here.</a>

Bill would fund SNAP and farm programs during government shutdown

Auditor’s report comes as state lawmakers push for legislation to legalize online sports betting

By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ebamer/">Erin Bamer</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A more than 16% drop in Nebraska Lottery ticket sales over the last fiscal year meant various state cash funds missed out on just under $10 million in revenue.

State Auditor Mike Foley revealed as much in a report this week, which shared that lottery ticket sales fell by $36 million in 2025. Foley attributed the drop to the expansion of casino gambling after Nebraska voters legalized the activity in 2020.

“The longer-term impact of new forms of gaming on future lottery proceeds seems ominous,” Foley said in the report. “The protracted course of lottery ticket sales is what matters most, and only time will tell if it experiences a significant ongoing decline.”

The decline in sales meant that roughly $9.6 million did not go to support various state cash funds that benefit from lottery revenues, including the Nebraska State Fair Fund, the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund and a collection of 10 education-related funds.

The Nebraska Environmental Trust took the biggest hit, however. In 2024, the fund received about $24.3 million in lottery funds. It received about $20.1 million in 2025, per Foley’s report.

Back in 2023, lottery officials said they were warned of a possible double-digit percentage decline in ticket sales due to the expansion of casino gambling.

The drop concerns State Sen. Jason Prokop of Lincoln, who sits on the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Earlier this year, he opposed pressure to cut funding from the Environmental Trust to make space in the broader budget, arguing the fund is critical to conservation projects across the state. Ultimately, lawmakers approved three one-time funding transfers out of the fund to support other initiatives the Pillen administration and others sought, siphoning off $13 million from the fund.

Prokop has also co-sponsored two-part legislation that remains pending in the Legislature to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/25/measure-to-let-nebraskans-vote-on-legalizing-online-sports-betting-in-2026-advances-from-committee/">legalize online sports betting</a>. He prioritized Legislative Resolution 20CA from State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, which if passed would put the legalization of online sports betting on the ballot.

The second piece, Legislative Bill 421 from State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, would establish the regulatory framework for the activity under state law.

Prokop said he “wasn’t surprised” that Foley blamed the decline in lottery sales on casino gambling, as Foley was vocally opposed to its legalization. He said he hasn’t seen any data to prove that casino gambling detracts from lottery sales. He argued other factors could contribute to the drop.

Prokop and Lynne McNally — director of government relations for WarHorse casino — argued the proliferation of skill games available at convenience stores might play a larger role in declining lottery sales. McNally noted that many skill games are located in close proximity to where lottery tickets are sold at the counter.

“They are a direct competitor to (the) lottery, and that’s what’s been impacting their revenue,” McNally said.

It’s worth noting that between January to August of this year, Nebraska’s five casinos have generated roughly $24.7 million in revenue for the state through gaming taxes. That revenue supports the state’s general fund, the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund and the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, according to documents from Nebraska’s Racing and Gaming Commission.

Bostar previously estimated that legalizing online sports betting would generate an additional $32 million in revenue. Prokop argued Nebraska is actively missing out on this money, because Nebraskans who want to gamble online will still do so in other states where it’s legal.

“We’ve got the busiest corn field in the country … right across the river in Iowa because people are going over and making wagers,” Prokop said.

In Foley’s report, he cautions that the spread of online gambling could further hinder lottery funds.

“If I were a betting man, I’d lay odds that the increasing popularity of such online activities, some of which occur outside of the State of Nebraska’s authority, will result in ever more gambling dollars being siphoned away from the lottery and its intended beneficiary funds,” Foley said.

Prokop said he doesn’t think Foley’s report will make much of an impact on the fate of the online sports betting proposals in the Legislature. He said he believes lawmakers will pay more attention to the initiative’s revenue benefits and favor the opportunity to give voters a chance to weigh in on the issue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761222694485.png" alt=" A player holds Nebraska Lottery tickets in his car. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> A player holds Nebraska Lottery tickets in his car. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Auditor’s report comes as state lawmakers push for legislation to legalize online sports betting</h2>By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ebamer/">Erin Bamer</a> <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A more than 16% drop in Nebraska Lottery ticket sales over the last fiscal year meant various state cash funds missed out on just under $10 million in revenue.State Auditor Mike Foley revealed as much in a report this week, which shared that lottery ticket sales fell by $36 million in 2025. Foley attributed the drop to the expansion of casino gambling after Nebraska voters legalized the activity in 2020.“The longer-term impact of new forms of gaming on future lottery proceeds seems ominous,” Foley said in the report. “The protracted course of lottery ticket sales is what matters most, and only time will tell if it experiences a significant ongoing decline.”The decline in sales meant that roughly $9.6 million did not go to support various state cash funds that benefit from lottery revenues, including the Nebraska State Fair Fund, the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund and a collection of 10 education-related funds.The Nebraska Environmental Trust took the biggest hit, however. In 2024, the fund received about $24.3 million in lottery funds. It received about $20.1 million in 2025, per Foley’s report.Back in 2023, lottery officials said they were warned of a possible double-digit percentage decline in ticket sales due to the expansion of casino gambling.The drop concerns State Sen. Jason Prokop of Lincoln, who sits on the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Earlier this year, he opposed pressure to cut funding from the Environmental Trust to make space in the broader budget, arguing the fund is critical to conservation projects across the state. Ultimately, lawmakers approved three one-time funding transfers out of the fund to support other initiatives the Pillen administration and others sought, siphoning off $13 million from the fund.Prokop has also co-sponsored two-part legislation that remains pending in the Legislature to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/25/measure-to-let-nebraskans-vote-on-legalizing-online-sports-betting-in-2026-advances-from-committee/">legalize online sports betting</a>. He prioritized Legislative Resolution 20CA from State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, which if passed would put the legalization of online sports betting on the ballot.The second piece, Legislative Bill 421 from State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, would establish the regulatory framework for the activity under state law.Prokop said he “wasn’t surprised” that Foley blamed the decline in lottery sales on casino gambling, as Foley was vocally opposed to its legalization. He said he hasn’t seen any data to prove that casino gambling detracts from lottery sales. He argued other factors could contribute to the drop.Prokop and Lynne McNally — director of government relations for WarHorse casino — argued the proliferation of skill games available at convenience stores might play a larger role in declining lottery sales. McNally noted that many skill games are located in close proximity to where lottery tickets are sold at the counter.“They are a direct competitor to (the) lottery, and that’s what’s been impacting their revenue,” McNally said.It’s worth noting that between January to August of this year, Nebraska’s five casinos have generated roughly $24.7 million in revenue for the state through gaming taxes. That revenue supports the state’s general fund, the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund and the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, according to documents from Nebraska’s Racing and Gaming Commission.Bostar previously estimated that legalizing online sports betting would generate an additional $32 million in revenue. Prokop argued Nebraska is actively missing out on this money, because Nebraskans who want to gamble online will still do so in other states where it’s legal.“We’ve got the busiest corn field in the country … right across the river in Iowa because people are going over and making wagers,” Prokop said.In Foley’s report, he cautions that the spread of online gambling could further hinder lottery funds.“If I were a betting man, I’d lay odds that the increasing popularity of such online activities, some of which occur outside of the State of Nebraska’s authority, will result in ever more gambling dollars being siphoned away from the lottery and its intended beneficiary funds,” Foley said.Prokop said he doesn’t think Foley’s report will make much of an impact on the fate of the online sports betting proposals in the Legislature. He said he believes lawmakers will pay more attention to the initiative’s revenue benefits and favor the opportunity to give voters a chance to weigh in on the issue.

Declining lottery ticket sales lower state revenues by $10 million, auditor says

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/8thUt7ACZC">pic.twitter.com/8thUt7ACZC</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1981087835680645144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Trump approves $15M for recovery after storms in Nebraska

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out yet another lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). Yet again, the now-deceased terrorists were engaged in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. The… <a href="https://t.co/PEaKmakivD">pic.twitter.com/PEaKmakivD</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1981167670989926902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. The vessel was known by our intelligence to be… <a href="https://t.co/BayDhUZ4Ac">pic.twitter.com/BayDhUZ4Ac</a>&mdash; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar/status/1981049943306752361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on strikes against narcoterrorists: &quot;This is a national security problem... They killed 300,000 Americans last year.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eKwaKMgGnT">pic.twitter.com/eKwaKMgGnT</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1981109926526132687?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a>: &quot;These are drug boats. If people want to stop seeing drug boats blown up, stop sending drugs to the United States.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/qACz92D54g">pic.twitter.com/qACz92D54g</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1981109821031272738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

US strikes two alleged drug boats, expanding attacks to Pacific

Joann Sweasy, PhD, became president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes on Oct. 21.

Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the National Cancer Institute-designated Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, will begin her two-year term as president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) with a bold vision to confront one of the nation’s most pressing health disparities: rural cancer care. The Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is Nebraska’s only NCI-designated center and one of only 73 in the nation.

In her first major initiative, Dr. Sweasy will spearhead a nationwide campaign to address the alarming rates of cancer morbidity and mortality in rural and frontier communities.

“While only 14–20% of Americans live in rural areas, these populations face significantly higher cancer death rates due to limited access to prevention, treatment and clinical trials,” Dr. Sweasy said, speaking at the AACI/Cancer Center Administrators Forum annual meeting on Oct. 20. She began her term as president on Oct. 21.

Her plan calls for a collaborative, data-driven approach that will unite AACI’s more than 100 member institutions across the U.S. and Canada. Key goals include:

“As part of the national team working to lower cancer rates and improve treatments, every cancer center has a role to play,” Dr. Sweasy said. “This initiative will empower institutions to break down barriers and bring life-saving care to underserved regions.”

Dr. Sweasy is a globally recognized expert in DNA repair and cancer genetics, with over 25 years of NIH-funded research. Prior to joining UNMC, Dr. Sweasy led the University of Arizona Cancer Center to renewal of its prestigious National Cancer Institute comprehensive designation.

She also serves as director of the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases at UNMC.

AACI represents over 100 premier academic and freestanding cancer centers in the United States and Canada, advancing cancer care through advocacy, collaboration and education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761147266362.jpeg" alt="Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and president of the American Association of Cancer Institutes&nbsp; (Courtesy UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and president of the American Association of Cancer Institutes&nbsp; (Courtesy UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Joann Sweasy, PhD, became president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes on Oct. 21.</h2>Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the National Cancer Institute-designated Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, will begin her two-year term as president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) with a bold vision to confront one of the nation’s most pressing health disparities: rural cancer care. The Fred &amp; Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is Nebraska’s only NCI-designated center and one of only 73 in the nation.In her first major initiative, Dr. Sweasy will spearhead a nationwide campaign to address the alarming rates of cancer morbidity and mortality in rural and frontier communities.“While only 14–20% of Americans live in rural areas, these populations face significantly higher cancer death rates due to limited access to prevention, treatment and clinical trials,” Dr. Sweasy said, speaking at the AACI/Cancer Center Administrators Forum annual meeting on Oct. 20. She began her term as president on Oct. 21.Her plan calls for a collaborative, data-driven approach that will unite AACI’s more than 100 member institutions across the U.S. and Canada. Key goals include:<ul>
 <li>Mapping cancer service access and outcomes nationwide</li><li>Creating a national profile of rural cancer burden</li><li>Analyzing social determinants of health in rural cancer care</li><li>Hosting a 2027 Rural Cancer Summit to share best practices</li><li>Establishing a permanent oversight committee with rural community voices</li>
 </ul>“As part of the national team working to lower cancer rates and improve treatments, every cancer center has a role to play,” Dr. Sweasy said. “This initiative will empower institutions to break down barriers and bring life-saving care to underserved regions.”Dr. Sweasy is a globally recognized expert in DNA repair and cancer genetics, with over 25 years of NIH-funded research. Prior to joining UNMC, Dr. Sweasy led the University of Arizona Cancer Center to renewal of its prestigious National Cancer Institute comprehensive designation.She also serves as director of the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases at UNMC.AACI represents over 100 premier academic and freestanding cancer centers in the United States and Canada, advancing cancer care through advocacy, collaboration and education.

Dr. Sweasy to lead national effort tackling rural cancer as new AACI president

A two-year contract worth millions reshapes McCook-area facility

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has formally entered into a 183-page contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to convert the Work Ethic Camp near McCook into a federal immigration detention facility. The agreement, officially signed on September 30, 2025, marks the first time the state of Nebraska has leased a correctional facility to a federal agency for this purpose.

The ICE Intergovernmental Service Agreement, identified as IGSA #70CDCR25DIG000041, consists of 37 pages of core contractual language and 18 separate attachments covering operations, staffing, conversion costs, and quality-assurance requirements—bringing the total document length to 183 pages.

Under the terms of the agreement, the contract’s base period runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2027, with optional extensions available beyond that date. The attachments outline expectations for facility operations, including security standards, health services, transportation, detainee programs, and food service oversight.

According to the agreement, Nebraska will receive roughly $2.46 million per month during the first year of operation, increasing slightly in year two. These payments cover staffing, maintenance, utilities, and detainee care. The state has also allocated nearly $6 million for renovations to bring the Work Ethic Camp into compliance with ICE standards—modifications that include updated security systems, living quarters, and intake areas.

While the facility was originally designed for a few hundred state inmates in a work-release and rehabilitation program, the ICE contract reclassifies it as a detention center for both men and women, with the exact capacity depending on final renovation work.

Despite being widely referred to as “the McCook facility,” the Work Ethic Camp is not located within the McCook city limits. The complex sits on state-owned federal property in Red Willow County, just outside the city boundary. That distinction matters legally, as the land is under state and federal jurisdiction, not city control—meaning local ordinances and city governance have limited authority over the site’s operation or its conversion.

The contract gives NDCS responsibility for staffing, supervision, and day-to-day operations under ICE guidelines. The state must meet federal performance standards covering detainee welfare, healthcare access, and security. ICE retains inspection and oversight authority, with the right to conduct unannounced visits and audits.

Each of the 18 attachments details a specific area of accountability—ranging from emergency procedures and transportation security to compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan sets the benchmarks ICE will use to evaluate Nebraska’s performance.

Governor Jim Pillen announced the contract alongside state correctional officials, describing the agreement as a way to “maximize existing state resources” while supporting federal border operations. Critics, including immigrant-rights advocates and local residents, have questioned the lack of public input before the deal was finalized.

The state says the deal provides a steady revenue stream for Nebraska and will bring new jobs to Red Willow County. Detainees held there will primarily be adults awaiting immigration hearings or deportation, not individuals serving criminal sentences under Nebraska law.

The official opening of the McCook ICE Detention Center is set for Friday, October 24, with Governor Jim Pillen and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coincidentally, that same day marks the start of a court case in Red Willow County Court challenging the state’s actions surrounding the contract and facility conversion.

Sources: Nebraska Examiner, WOWT, McCook Gazette, Governor of Nebraska

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761159534783.jpeg" alt="(Photo Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>(Photo Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A two-year contract worth millions reshapes McCook-area facility</h2>The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) has formally entered into a 183-page contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to convert the Work Ethic Camp near McCook into a federal immigration detention facility. The agreement, officially signed on September 30, 2025, marks the first time the state of Nebraska has leased a correctional facility to a federal agency for this purpose.<h2>The structure of the agreement</h2>The ICE Intergovernmental Service Agreement, identified as IGSA #70CDCR25DIG000041, consists of 37 pages of core contractual language and 18 separate attachments covering operations, staffing, conversion costs, and quality-assurance requirements—bringing the total document length to 183 pages.Under the terms of the agreement, the contract’s base period runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2027, with optional extensions available beyond that date. The attachments outline expectations for facility operations, including security standards, health services, transportation, detainee programs, and food service oversight.<h2>Financial terms and facility use</h2>According to the agreement, Nebraska will receive roughly $2.46 million per month during the first year of operation, increasing slightly in year two. These payments cover staffing, maintenance, utilities, and detainee care. The state has also allocated nearly $6 million for renovations to bring the Work Ethic Camp into compliance with ICE standards—modifications that include updated security systems, living quarters, and intake areas.While the facility was originally designed for a few hundred state inmates in a work-release and rehabilitation program, the ICE contract reclassifies it as a detention center for both men and women, with the exact capacity depending on final renovation work.<h2>Jurisdiction and location clarification</h2>Despite being widely referred to as “the McCook facility,” the Work Ethic Camp is not located within the McCook city limits. The complex sits on state-owned federal property in Red Willow County, just outside the city boundary. That distinction matters legally, as the land is under state and federal jurisdiction, not city control—meaning local ordinances and city governance have limited authority over the site’s operation or its conversion.<h2>Oversight and operational control</h2>The contract gives NDCS responsibility for staffing, supervision, and day-to-day operations under ICE guidelines. The state must meet federal performance standards covering detainee welfare, healthcare access, and security. ICE retains inspection and oversight authority, with the right to conduct unannounced visits and audits.Each of the 18 attachments details a specific area of accountability—ranging from emergency procedures and transportation security to compliance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan sets the benchmarks ICE will use to evaluate Nebraska’s performance.<h2>Public and political context</h2>Governor Jim Pillen announced the contract alongside state correctional officials, describing the agreement as a way to “maximize existing state resources” while supporting federal border operations. Critics, including immigrant-rights advocates and local residents, have questioned the lack of public input before the deal was finalized.The state says the deal provides a steady revenue stream for Nebraska and will bring new jobs to Red Willow County. Detainees held there will primarily be adults awaiting immigration hearings or deportation, not individuals serving criminal sentences under Nebraska law.<h2>Opening and court proceedings</h2>The official opening of the McCook ICE Detention Center is set for Friday, October 24, with Governor Jim Pillen and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coincidentally, that same day marks the start of a court case in Red Willow County Court challenging the state’s actions surrounding the contract and facility conversion.Sources: Nebraska Examiner, WOWT, McCook Gazette, Governor of Nebraska

What’s Really in the Released Contract Behind Nebraska’s New ICE Facility

Washington D.C. -- A planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was expected to take place in Budapest, has been postponed indefinitely, the White House confirmed. Officials cited a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a key factor in the delay.

The meeting had been intended to discuss a potential freeze of the Russia-Ukraine conflict along its current front lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the idea as “a good compromise,” but questioned whether Russia would follow through, emphasizing the need for sustained pressure to achieve peace.

Tensions remain high as both nations continue military operations. Overnight exchanges of missile and drone strikes were reported, and Russia conducted nuclear training exercises, signaling readiness to escalate the conflict. In response, Ukraine has sought additional military assistance to strengthen its defense capabilities.

President Trump expressed reluctance to move forward with the summit, saying he wanted to see concrete steps toward peace before committing to another meeting. European leaders and U.S. lawmakers also voiced concerns, noting that Russia’s recent actions undermine diplomatic efforts.

The postponement highlights the challenges of achieving a peaceful resolution, leaving international observers closely monitoring developments as the situation continues to evolve.

Sources: Washington Post, EuroNews, WMUR, WTOP, Irish Examiner

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761146929563.png" alt="US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]" />
 <figcaption>US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025 [Kevin Lamarque/Reuters]</figcaption>
 </figure>By Allison PeckWashington D.C. -- A planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was expected to take place in Budapest, has been postponed indefinitely, the White House confirmed. Officials cited a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as a key factor in the delay.The meeting had been intended to discuss a potential freeze of the Russia-Ukraine conflict along its current front lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the idea as “a good compromise,” but questioned whether Russia would follow through, emphasizing the need for sustained pressure to achieve peace.Tensions remain high as both nations continue military operations. Overnight exchanges of missile and drone strikes were reported, and Russia conducted nuclear training exercises, signaling readiness to escalate the conflict. In response, Ukraine has sought additional military assistance to strengthen its defense capabilities.President Trump expressed reluctance to move forward with the summit, saying he wanted to see concrete steps toward peace before committing to another meeting. European leaders and U.S. lawmakers also voiced concerns, noting that Russia’s recent actions undermine diplomatic efforts.The postponement highlights the challenges of achieving a peaceful resolution, leaving international observers closely monitoring developments as the situation continues to evolve.Sources: Washington Post, EuroNews, WMUR, WTOP, Irish Examiner

Trump-Putin Summit Postponed Amid Ongoing Russia-Ukraine Tensions

Lincoln– As a result of new federal requirements, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has rolled out several changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements, according to a media release from the agency.

The required changes listed below will go into effect on October 20, 2025, immediately for new applicants, and households with active benefits will be reviewed at their next recertification, when a household member is added, or when other updates are addressed. Due to the federal government shutdown, DHHS is currently waiting for additional federal guidance on these changes and will provide updates once more information is received. The department will work to implement these federal requirements as smoothly as possible. The changes include:

For those who may lose benefits, other resources are available. Residents can call 211 or visit 211 Nebraska's website at&nbsp;<a href="https://uwm211.org/nebraska-programs" target="_blank">https://uwm211.org/nebraska-programs&nbsp;</a>. 211 is a one-stop source of information for people in need of assistance. When reaching out to 211, they'll assess the situation and then utilize an extensive, up-to-date database to find the best resource(s) to meet needs. They act as a single point of contact for thousands of programs, community services, disaster services and governmental programs.

Please see our website&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/OBBB-SNAP-Changes-FAQ.pdf" target="_blank">FAQ p​age&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;for additional information about these changes at&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/SNAP">https://dh​hs.ne.gov/SNAP</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689674819900.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Lincoln– As a result of new federal requirements, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has rolled out several changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility requirements, according to a media release from the agency.The required changes listed below will go into effect on October 20, 2025, immediately for new applicants, and households with active benefits will be reviewed at their next recertification, when a household member is added, or when other updates are addressed. Due to the federal government shutdown, DHHS is currently waiting for additional federal guidance on these changes and will provide updates once more information is received. The department will work to implement these federal requirements as smoothly as possible. The changes include:<ul>
 <li>Expanded Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults:&nbsp;Individuals between ages 18 and 64 (previously 18 to 54) are now subject to the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) work requirements. This means that these SNAP recipients must either work, participate in an employment or training activity, or volunteer in the community at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month. There are some exceptions to this requirement that have changed for some individuals:</li><li>Able-Bodied parents must now meet these work requirements once their youngest child turns 14, rather than 18.</li><li>Some individuals who were formerly exempt from these work requirements are now subject to them, including veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults who aged out of foster care.</li><li>Indians, Urban Indians, California Indians, and other Indians who are eligible for Indian Health Services were formerly subject to these work requirements and are now exempt from them.</li><li>LIHEAP Payments:&nbsp;Households receiving a qualifying Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment must now contain an elderly or disabled member to have the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) automatically applied to their case.Households no longer eligible for SUA may be entitled to another utility allowance based on their utility expenses.</li><li>Eligibility for Aliens:&nbsp;SNAP eligibility has been limited to those who reside in the United States and are: a citizen; lawfully admitted for permanent residence with no intention of abandoning their residence in a foreign country; Cuban and Haitian entrants; or allowed to live and work in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA).Eligibility has been removed for refugees, those granted asylum, and any others not explicitly listed above.</li>
 </ul>For those who may lose benefits, other resources are available. Residents can call 211 or visit 211 Nebraska's website at&nbsp;<a href="https://uwm211.org/nebraska-programs" target="_blank">https://uwm211.org/nebraska-programs&nbsp;</a>. 211 is a one-stop source of information for people in need of assistance. When reaching out to 211, they'll assess the situation and then utilize an extensive, up-to-date database to find the best resource(s) to meet needs. They act as a single point of contact for thousands of programs, community services, disaster services and governmental programs.Please see our website&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/OBBB-SNAP-Changes-FAQ.pdf" target="_blank">FAQ p​age&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;for additional information about these changes at&nbsp;<a href="https://dhhs.ne.gov/SNAP">https://dh​hs.ne.gov/SNAP</a>.

New federal requirements affect SNAP eligibility in Nebraska

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump has begun a large-scale renovation project at the White House, highlighted by the addition of a $250 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom that will replace part of the East Wing.

Construction crews began partial demolition of the East Wing this week, even as formal plans have yet to be submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission — the federal agency that oversees major design changes to historic government buildings.

According to the Trump administration, the new ballroom will be privately funded through donations from “patriotic Americans and great companies,” with no taxpayer money being used. The space is expected to accommodate nearly 1,000 guests and serve as a new venue for state dinners, receptions, and official events.

President Trump said the project will bring the White House “into the modern age of hospitality” and eliminate the need for large outdoor tents traditionally used during major gatherings.

However, preservationists and ethics watchdogs are raising concerns about the move. Critics argue that the East Wing’s demolition could irreversibly alter the historic fabric of the White House. Others are calling for greater transparency on who is financing the renovation and what influence those donors may hold.

White House officials insist the project follows in the tradition of presidential updates dating back more than two centuries. They say construction will be completed before the end of Trump’s term in January 2029.

The National Capital Planning Commission has not yet scheduled a review of the project.

While Trump’s new ballroom would mark one of the largest physical expansions of the White House in modern history, he isn’t the first president to make major changes.

From fire damage to modernization, nearly every administration has left its mark on the White House. Trump’s new ballroom continues that long tradition — though with debate as fierce as ever about how far a president should go in reshaping America’s most symbolic home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761104252117.png" alt="Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House on Monday in Washington DC before construction of a new ballroom. (Evan Vucci | AP)" />
 <figcaption>Work begins on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House on Monday in Washington DC before construction of a new ballroom. (Evan Vucci | AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump has begun a large-scale renovation project at the White House, highlighted by the addition of a $250 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom that will replace part of the East Wing.Construction crews began partial demolition of the East Wing this week, even as formal plans have yet to be submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission — the federal agency that oversees major design changes to historic government buildings.According to the Trump administration, the new ballroom will be privately funded through donations from “patriotic Americans and great companies,” with no taxpayer money being used. The space is expected to accommodate nearly 1,000 guests and serve as a new venue for state dinners, receptions, and official events.<div><iframe src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115408594704490513/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script></div>President Trump said the project will bring the White House “into the modern age of hospitality” and eliminate the need for large outdoor tents traditionally used during major gatherings.However, preservationists and ethics watchdogs are raising concerns about the move. Critics argue that the East Wing’s demolition could irreversibly alter the historic fabric of the White House. Others are calling for greater transparency on who is financing the renovation and what influence those donors may hold.White House officials insist the project follows in the tradition of presidential updates dating back more than two centuries. They say construction will be completed before the end of Trump’s term in January 2029.The National Capital Planning Commission has not yet scheduled a review of the project.<h2>Past Presidential Remodels</h2>While Trump’s new ballroom would mark one of the largest physical expansions of the White House in modern history, he isn’t the first president to make major changes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761104049411.png" alt="Construction on East Terrace in 1902. (White House Historical Association)" />
 <figcaption>Construction on East Terrace in 1902. (White House Historical Association)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761104088040.png" alt="Renovation work on the White House in 1950. (National Park Service)" />
 <figcaption>Renovation work on the White House in 1950. (National Park Service)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761104106835.png" alt="President Ford surveys the construction of a new outdoor swimming pool on the South Grounds in 1975. (National Archives)" />
 <figcaption>President Ford surveys the construction of a new outdoor swimming pool on the South Grounds in 1975. (National Archives)</figcaption>
 </figure><ul>
 <li>Theodore Roosevelt (1902) built the West Wing, moving the president’s offices out of the main residence.
</li><li>William Howard Taft (1909) added the Oval Office, now a defining feature of the building.
</li><li>Franklin D. Roosevelt (1942) constructed the East Wing, the same area now being partially demolished for the ballroom.
</li><li>Harry S. Truman (1948–1952) rebuilt the entire interior structure and added the Truman Balcony, a once-controversial feature that remains iconic today.
</li><li>John F. Kennedy (1961) and Jacqueline Kennedy led an extensive restoration that established the White House Historical Association.
</li><li>Barack Obama (2010) completed a major modernization of the West Wing, updating infrastructure and communications systems.
</li>
 </ul>From fire damage to modernization, nearly every administration has left its mark on the White House. Trump’s new ballroom continues that long tradition — though with debate as fierce as ever about how far a president should go in reshaping America’s most symbolic home.

Trump Begins $250 Million White House Remodel, Adding Massive Ballroom

The nation is feeling the financial hit of the government shutdown, which is on track to become among the longest in U.S. history. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are&nbsp;going without pay and there are few signs of any end to the stalemate.

The U.S. Senate will vote again Wednesday on whether to end the shutdown.

The nation is feeling the financial hit of the government shutdown, which is on track to become among the longest in U.S. history. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are&nbsp;going without pay and there are few signs of any end to the stalemate.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Democrats attempt to be recognized during House Pro Forma Session. <a href="https://t.co/VcH9hZqGVu">pic.twitter.com/VcH9hZqGVu</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1980699082415874173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Leader Thune is offering to negotiate on the Affordable Care Act with you if you re-open the government. Why won&#39;t you take the deal?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/SenSchumer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenSchumer</a>: &quot;The bottom line is that&#39;s no deal, that&#39;s a partisan plan that leaves the American people high and dry.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/zDYUyqlyhr">pic.twitter.com/zDYUyqlyhr</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1980713747120275965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/LeaderJohnThune?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LeaderJohnThune</a>: &quot;People keep saying, &#39;Negotiate!&#39; — Negotiate what? I don&#39;t know what that is right now. The government needs to open up, and then we&#39;re happy to sit down and talk about any other issues the Democrats want to talk about.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/LCms5PQq3K">pic.twitter.com/LCms5PQq3K</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1980706435945119745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenJohnBarrasso?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenJohnBarrasso</a>: &quot;The government has been closed now for 21 days and the Democrats have had a chance to open it 11 times — and each time, they voted no... The Democrats are holding this country hostage. It&#39;s time for it to END. It&#39;s time to reopen the government...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/fp7UYE8iXR">pic.twitter.com/fp7UYE8iXR</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1980702533929607441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;From the beginning, our message has been very simple: we will NOT be extorted&quot; by Democrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> tells Senate Republicans. &quot;Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats need to vote for the clean, bipartisan CR and reopen our government!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/g4GaTYWB8s">pic.twitter.com/g4GaTYWB8s</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1980682137264144490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The U.S. Senate will vote again Wednesday on whether to end the shutdown.

🎥What Congressional leaders are saying about the gov't shutdown

New digital platform looks to navigate ICU experience for patients’ families.

A&nbsp;digital platform years in the making, created through a collaboration between the UNMC College of Nursing, UNeMed, UNeTech and Nebraska Medicine, will position UNMC at the forefront of health care innovation, its creators said.

<a href="https://familyroom.health/" target="_blank">Familyroom.health</a>&nbsp;now is scaling nationally to support families during critical care crises.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Twelve years ago, Breanna Hetland, PhD, then a critical care nurse, sat at her father’s ICU bedside and realized something : Despite all her clinical training, she felt helpless as a patient’s family member.

“The system I had worked in for years suddenly felt foreign when I was on the family side of the hospital bed,” said Dr. Hetland, associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing and the nurse-researcher who developed Familyroom.health. “That experience showed me that we’ve been missing an entire half of the healing equation. We focus intensely on the patient but leave families to just figure it out.”

That insight led to years of NIH-funded research for Dr. Hetland, but the transformation from research to commercial application came in 2023, when she partnered with product strategist Greg Nelson. Nelson’s background in innovation and human-centered design proved instrumental in evolving Familyroom.health from a research endeavor into a scalable commercial solution poised to change the industry paradigm for family engagement.

“Familyroom.health is a clinically validated digital platform that transforms overwhelmed family caregivers into confident care partners,” Dr. Hetland said. “It’s the first platform of its kind to allow families to chart their contributions directly in the electronic health record, making family input a documented part of patient care.”

The program provides evidence-based tools, resources and peer guidance to address the gap in family engagement during critical care. Drawing from Dr. Hetland’s work as an implementation scientist and Nelson’s human-centered design experience, the platform is designed to ensure sustainable adoption within complex health care systems.

The project has secured more than $1 million in funding, and the platform continues to be refined through clinical trials at Nebraska Medicine, even while signing pilot partnerships with other major health systems.

“This demonstrates both strong external validation of UNMC research and immediate commercial viability in the national health care market,” Dr. Hetland said.

She pointed to the need for Familyroom.health.

“Six million Americans face critical illness in ICUs annually, affecting 15-20 million family members who suddenly become caregivers,” she said. “These families are thrust into overwhelming situations without preparation, often shocked, confused and feeling helpless.”

In creating the platform, which provides information to family members on what to expect, ask, and do when faced with the ICU hospitalization of a loved one, researchers drew input from many local ICU nurses, families and health care leaders.

“We essentially sat families down and interviewed them,” Dr. Hetland said. “The platform offers tips that are infused with those family stories, as well as input directly from nurses. So we’re able to say it’s been co-created, bringing together both perspectives.”

The platform features an adaptive assessment engine upon first sign in, with questions designed to pinpoint where users are in their ICU journey.

“’Have you been in this situation before? What level of support do you have at home? How are you feeling emotionally?’” Dr. Hetland said. “Based on those responses, we have an algorithm that then provides tips that are most pertinent to the part of the journey they’re at and their emotional state.”

She gave an example: On the first day for a family that has never been in the ICU before, the platform might suggest personalizing the room, including the type of photos to display and items the family and patient may want to have on hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The current iteration of the platform was run through task-driven simulations that were sponsored by the NIH in 2024,” Dr. Hetland said. “We actually brought ICU family members and Nebraska Medicine nurses over to the simulation lab, gave them the product and had them run through scenarios. So this version is informed by people who’d had an ICU experience.”

The team will continue to track the experience of people who use the platform, in order to refine and enhance it.

Photo caption:&nbsp;Breanna Hetland, PhD

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761077000172.jpeg" alt="Breanna Hetland PhD (Courtesy Photo UNMC)" />
 <figcaption>Breanna Hetland PhD (Courtesy Photo UNMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>New digital platform looks to navigate ICU experience for patients’ families.A&nbsp;digital platform years in the making, created through a collaboration between the UNMC College of Nursing, UNeMed, UNeTech and Nebraska Medicine, will position UNMC at the forefront of health care innovation, its creators said.<a href="https://familyroom.health/" target="_blank">Familyroom.health</a>&nbsp;now is scaling nationally to support families during critical care crises.&nbsp;&nbsp;Twelve years ago, Breanna Hetland, PhD, then a critical care nurse, sat at her father’s ICU bedside and realized something : Despite all her clinical training, she felt helpless as a patient’s family member.“The system I had worked in for years suddenly felt foreign when I was on the family side of the hospital bed,” said Dr. Hetland, associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing and the nurse-researcher who developed Familyroom.health. “That experience showed me that we’ve been missing an entire half of the healing equation. We focus intensely on the patient but leave families to just figure it out.”That insight led to years of NIH-funded research for Dr. Hetland, but the transformation from research to commercial application came in 2023, when she partnered with product strategist Greg Nelson. Nelson’s background in innovation and human-centered design proved instrumental in evolving Familyroom.health from a research endeavor into a scalable commercial solution poised to change the industry paradigm for family engagement.“Familyroom.health is a clinically validated digital platform that transforms overwhelmed family caregivers into confident care partners,” Dr. Hetland said. “It’s the first platform of its kind to allow families to chart their contributions directly in the electronic health record, making family input a documented part of patient care.”The program provides evidence-based tools, resources and peer guidance to address the gap in family engagement during critical care. Drawing from Dr. Hetland’s work as an implementation scientist and Nelson’s human-centered design experience, the platform is designed to ensure sustainable adoption within complex health care systems.The project has secured more than $1 million in funding, and the platform continues to be refined through clinical trials at Nebraska Medicine, even while signing pilot partnerships with other major health systems.“This demonstrates both strong external validation of UNMC research and immediate commercial viability in the national health care market,” Dr. Hetland said.She pointed to the need for Familyroom.health.“Six million Americans face critical illness in ICUs annually, affecting 15-20 million family members who suddenly become caregivers,” she said. “These families are thrust into overwhelming situations without preparation, often shocked, confused and feeling helpless.”In creating the platform, which provides information to family members on what to expect, ask, and do when faced with the ICU hospitalization of a loved one, researchers drew input from many local ICU nurses, families and health care leaders.“We essentially sat families down and interviewed them,” Dr. Hetland said. “The platform offers tips that are infused with those family stories, as well as input directly from nurses. So we’re able to say it’s been co-created, bringing together both perspectives.”The platform features an adaptive assessment engine upon first sign in, with questions designed to pinpoint where users are in their ICU journey.“’Have you been in this situation before? What level of support do you have at home? How are you feeling emotionally?’” Dr. Hetland said. “Based on those responses, we have an algorithm that then provides tips that are most pertinent to the part of the journey they’re at and their emotional state.”She gave an example: On the first day for a family that has never been in the ICU before, the platform might suggest personalizing the room, including the type of photos to display and items the family and patient may want to have on hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“The current iteration of the platform was run through task-driven simulations that were sponsored by the NIH in 2024,” Dr. Hetland said. “We actually brought ICU family members and Nebraska Medicine nurses over to the simulation lab, gave them the product and had them run through scenarios. So this version is informed by people who’d had an ICU experience.”The team will continue to track the experience of people who use the platform, in order to refine and enhance it.Photo caption:&nbsp;Breanna Hetland, PhD

UNMC nursing innovation launches nationally

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors this week issued a forceful statement rejecting President Donald J. Trump’s proposal to import beef from Argentina as a means to reduce domestic beef prices. The statement underscores deep concern among Nebraska’s ranchers that the plan could undermine the U.S. cattle industry at a critical juncture.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/10/1761022104603.jpeg" alt="Nebraska Cattlemen (Courtesy Photo)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Cattlemen (Courtesy Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Allison PeckLINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors this week issued a forceful statement rejecting President Donald J. Trump’s proposal to import beef from Argentina as a means to reduce domestic beef prices. The statement underscores deep concern among Nebraska’s ranchers that the plan could undermine the U.S. cattle industry at a critical juncture.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNebraskaCattlemen%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02nPPvtM8zcV5Vyb2GcMPvJd4gMWwfUrkGNWcjeMRJ63vr6aB7G47fbPz3dXLjyUP9l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="297" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>On Sunday aboard Air Force One, President Trump told reporters that the U.S. “would buy some beef from Argentina… If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.” His remarks reflect efforts to address elevated beef prices amid drought-related herd reductions, supply constraints and inflationary pressure.&nbsp;In their statement, Nebraska Cattlemen stressed that one of their core principles is protecting the free enterprise system for the beef cattle industry, and they oppose what they describe as “government interference in the cattle market.” The group warned that injecting “unnecessary price volatility” into the cattle and beef marketing chain during a time when many producers are making heifer retention and herd expansion decisions risks a negative impact. They argue that the one true long-term solution to elevated beef prices is the expansion of the U.S. beef cattle herd, and that the U.S. market is already doing that — if allowed to operate uninhibited.The statement continues: “Further, we produce a nutrient dense, safe, and delicious product, which is why consumer demand for beef remains strong. We urge President Trump and members of Congress to put American beef producers first and avoid hindering the cattle market’s ability to respond to fundamental cyclical factors.”Industry reaction has been swift. The national National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) echoed similar concerns, noting that Argentina accounts for just over 2 percent of U.S. beef and veal imports and that increasing imports from Argentina would do little to lower consumer prices while threatening domestic producers.&nbsp;Other ag-industry analyses point out that to meaningfully affect U.S. prices the U.S. would have to become Argentina’s largest buyer — a near-impossible scenario given current trade volumes.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the backdrop to the beef-import discussion adds further context: The Trump administration recently backed a $20 billion currency swap agreement with Argentina, aligning with President Javier Milei’s government in Buenos Aires. Nebraska-based ranchers and farm-policy observers view the beef-import proposal as further evidence of policy moves that overlook domestic agricultural interests. Nebraska U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s office released a statement urging Trump’s administration to “prioritize America’s ranchers over importing foreign beef,” warning that domestic producers are already operating under tight margins and cannot afford disruption.&nbsp;The Nebraska Cattlemen caution that allowing some foreign beef to flood the U.S. market at this time would send confusing signals to ranchers who are in the midst of rebuilding herd numbers after years of drought, high feed costs and production headwinds. They argue that what is needed, rather than foreign-sourced beef, is an environment that enables U.S. producers to expand and stabilize the herd — which in turn should help moderate prices over time.While the proposed import plan is framed as a way to bring down consumer beef prices, the Nebraska Cattlemen say that artificially altering supply in the short term is no substitute for long-term market renewal. They are calling on federal policymakers to step back from import-driven fixes and instead support the structural health of the U.S. cattle industry.As the debate unfolds, the key question for Nebraska’s ranchers will be whether policy will support their rebuilding efforts or create fresh uncertainty in a business built on long planning horizons.